Is my child WAY above average for her height/weight?

Question

My daughter just turned 4 on June 20th and today 7/10, she weighs 59 lbs. and is 44 1/4 in. tall. On the charts she's way above the 97th percentile. I know all kids grow at different rates, but I'm worried she's going to become obese at a very young age.

Answer 1

give her health foods no candy and u do it to so she will have inspiration

Answer 2

My daughter is the same way! Believe me it scared me too.

By the time she was 6 she looked 8 or even 9. Now she is 12, bigger than me and finally growing into her body.

She did seem to be a tad over weight, but our doctor let us know not to worry. That she would grow into it and she is. She is still way bigger than her friends who are short, tiny body frame and look like a kid.

Some kids just grow differently. I was always very tiny and I'm still only 5' 1". My 12yr old is 5' 2". At age 32 I often seen as a teenager.

The best thing you can do for your daughter is support her and not make her feel different. It is tough at times for my daughter to see her friends looking small & thin. Esp. in this day & age where girls are focused on their bodies. I remind my daughter people grow differently.

Answer 3

HI

first let me say that we are a vegetarian family with very healthy eating habits. Both my children are/were breastfeed well into toodlerhood.

Neither of them have ever made it on the chart, from birth until now...still not on the chart. They are just BIG kids. No worried of obesity since both parents are of healthy weight. That is what matters.

These averages are pretty irrelevant and I would not, if i were you, think about it anymore. Its just not worth it. Just try to focus on teaching your child good, healthy eating habits. Just like you would not want her to worry about the number on the scale when she is 12, don't worry about the percentile as she is 4.

I hope this all makes sense and that it brings you some comfort.

take care

Answer 4

are you and your husband tall? my babysitter is tall and so is her husband, both her kids (9 and 12) are taller than 5 foot 2 inches. last I heard (a  few years ago) her 9 year old was wearing a size 12 in pants to get them long enough! My daughter is 8 and wears a size 6!!

it does sound like she is at the very top of the charts, if not off them. as long as she is proportionate I think she will be OK. if you are really worried you could take her to a pediatric endocrinologist and ask to ahve her pituitary system checked. I  just saw a program recently on pituitary giants...they have a pituitary problem that makes thier growth hormones go out of control. hope this helps

Answer 5

talk to a dr.

Answer 6

Talk to the Dr.  If she is tall for her age then the weight will be fine but to me it sounds like she may be to high on the weight compared to her height.  My son is 50" tall and 53 lbs and he will be 6 in August and is considered tall for his age but the weight matches his height.  My other son is 38" tall and 31 lbs and he is 3 1/2 years old and considered shorter for his age but with weight/height ratio he is fine because it balances out.  I would just talk to her pediatrician about your concerns about her weight in regards to her height.

Answer 7

wow...she is a big four year old but if the doctor doesn't think there is a problem then i wouldn't worry about it.  you should talk to your pediatrician.

Answer 8

You know I have 2 thin kids and 1 chunky.  They have the same diet.  I would mention it to her doc but I think she is fine.  The only reason I can see for concern is if her percentages have drastically changed.  Also and I don't know why but my 7 yr old has 3 friends that he has had since preschool (your daughter's age) that were much heavier than my son and now have thinned out, 1 is even wearing a smaller size in clothes.  I have no idea if this is a typical occurance but I have seen it happen.